GABUNGAN Parti Sarawak (GPS) must make a clear decision whether it is going to accept the state assemblymen from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) into the ruling coalition instead of continuing their ‘political tango’.
Sarawak Pakatan Harapan information chief Senator Abun Sui Anyit said PSB has openly declared that it is no longer with the Opposition and wants to be part of the state government, and GPS should give a clear answer.
"PSB contested as an opposition party in the last state election and won several seats because the voters there wanted another voice.
"But now, PSB has renounced its status as an opposition party and declared it is supporting the ruling state government of GPS.
"PSB’s elected representatives said they are going to become part of the GPS state government by merging with the GPS component party of Progressive Democratic Party.
"So, what is the stance of GPS as a coalition on this?” asked Sui, who is also Sarawak PKR deputy chairman.
He told The Vibes that the ongoing public tango between PSB and GPS does not augur well for Sarawak politics.
"In the political arena, we politicians need to be committed to our struggles.
"When we contest in a public election such as the state or national parliamentary election as the opposition, it means we want to be the check and balance against the ruling government to keep the administration accountable for policies and decisions affecting the Rakyat.
"Since the voters voted for the opposition, their votes must be honoured by the party candidates elected by them," said Sui.
We in Sarawak PH urged GPS and its chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg to give a clear decision on PSB without any more delay, he added.
PSB leaders had gone very public in renouncing the party's status as an opposition-party in Sarawak.
PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh has personally declared in numerous public gatherings that PSB is no longer on the opposition side.
Wong is still the current Opposition leader in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.
With him having publicly renounced PSB's opposition status, the only Opposition state assembly representatives left in the state are from the Sarawak DAP in the form of Chong Chien Jen (assemblyman for Padungan) and Violet Yong (Pending).
The three current PSB assemblymen (who were once in the Opposition) in the Sarawak state assembly are Wong Soon Koh who is assemblyman for Bawang Assan, Johnical Rayong (for Engkili) and Baru Bian (for Bakelalan).
Wong and other PSB leaders had on July 13 last year inked a deal with PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing in Kuala Lumpur to form partnership with each other at state and national levels.
PSB has three seats in the 82-seat state assembly, DAP two, Independent one in Batu Lintang (See Chee How) and GPS 76. - The Vibes, January 6, 2024
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